In one case I was willing to take Burr, but I never considered
it as a case likely to happen. If by his conduct he had
completely forfeited the confidence and friendship of his
Party and left himself no resort but the support of the
federalists, there are many considerations which would
have induced me to prefer him to Jefferson. But I was
enabled soon to discover that he was determined not to
shackle himself with federal principles and it became evident
that if he got in without being absolutely committed
in relation to his own Party, that he would be disposed &
obliged to play the game of McKean upon an improved
plan and enlarged scale.

In the origin of the business I had contrived to lay hold
of all the doubtful votes in the House which enabled me
according to views which presented themselves to protract
or terminate the controversy.

This arrangement was easily made, from the opinion
readily adopted from the consideration, that representing
a small state without resources which could supply the
means of self protection I should not dare to proceed to
any length which would jeopardize the constitution or the
safety of any state. When the experiment was fully made,
I acknowledged upon all hands to have completely ascertained,
that Burr was resolved not to commit himself, and
that nothing remained but to appoint a President by law,
or have the government without one. I came out with the
most explicit & determined declaration of voting for Jefferson.
You cannot well imagine the clamour & vehement
invective to which I was subjected for some days. We had
several caucuses. All acknowledged that nothing but desperate
measures remained, which several were disposed to
adopt, & but few were willing openly to disapprove. We
broke up each time in confusion and discord, and the
manner of the last ballot was arranged but a few minutes
before the ballot was given. Our former harmony however
has since been restored.

The public declarations of my intention to vote for Jefferson
to which I have alluded were made without a general
consultation, knowing that it would be an easier task
to close the breach which I foresaw, when it was the result
of an act done without concurrence than if it had proceeded
from one against a decision of the Party. Had it
not been for a single gentleman from Connecticut, the
eastern states would finally have voted in blank in the same
manner as done by S. Carolina & Delaware. But because
he refused, the rest of the Delegation refused and because
connecticut insisted upon continuing the ballot for Burr
New Hampshire Massachusetts & Rhode Island refused to
depart from their former vote.

The means existed of electing Burr, but they required
his cooperation. By deceiving one Man (a great blockhead)
and tempting two (not incorruptible) he might have secured
a majority of the States. He will never have another
chance of being president of the U.states and the little use
he has made of the one which has occurred gives me but
a humble opinion of the talents of an unprincipled man.